In the early stages of human history; in the transition from hunter/gatherer societies to agricultural societies; all farms were small, family or tribal farms. Families or small groups raised just enough food (plants or livestock) to feed themselves for the season and through the subsequent winter (subsistence farming).
With the advent of the industrial revolution, innovations in farming led to improved yield, which meant fewer people needed to farm and more of the population could move to the city to work in non-food jobs. Farming efficiencies meant that fewer people actually needed to farm in order to feed the many. In general, large farms accept uses of technology, GM seeds and patents, economies of scale, advertising, and creating markets both domestic and foreign. (Wikipedia) These large farms tend toward "mono-cropping," or the large-scale production of a single plant (corn, wheat, or soybeans) or specialization in a single animal (cattle, dairy cows, pigs, or chickens).
Environmental Issues -
Industrial (large) farms use pesticides at a a higher rate. Consistent use of pesticides results in pesticide resistant strains of those pests! (Wikipedia)
Industrial farms also use herbicides and fertilizers at a higher rate. These tend to wash into the nearest body of water (watershed), creating hypoxic conditions and eutrophication.
Industrial hog farms (CAFO - controlled animal feeding operation) are notorious for the sheer amount of manure that is collected in "lagoons".
Referring to the nearby Chesapeake Bay Watershed: "[It] cannot be restored without water that is clean, clear and rich in oxygen. Currently, the Bay and its rivers receive too much pollution for the ecosystem to remain healthy. [A] primary [source] of pollution[is] agricultural runoff and discharges" (Chesapeake Bay Program)
Mono-cropping (easier to do on large scale) so no bio-diversity. We are suddenly dependent on the health of a very few varieties of corn. Native Americans grew hundreds of varieties, we grow fewer than 50 as main crops. In Mexico, where transgenic ("genetically modified") crops are illegal, imported food corn is accidentally planted and is "contaminating" the local food supply with corn that is not as hardy or tasty as the local varieties. " The potential contamination of their principal source of food and culture came as a surprise and has become a serious cause for worry in a region where nearly every house and even many government offices and businesses are flanked by fields of corn. " (
"30 percent of the earth’s ice-free land is directly or indirectly involved in livestock production, according to the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization, which also estimates that livestock production generates nearly a fifth of the world’s greenhouse gases — more than transportation." (Bittman - Italics mine)
Economic Issues -
Large scale usually means cheaper - cheaper food from large farms
Large farms are located in center of country. Fresh vegetables and fruits are grown in California, Florida, or overseas - part of price is for transportation to the rest of us
Government supports easier for large farmers to access (Check John Hill's page on Farm Subsidies for this)
Smaller farms don't experience the "economy of scale" that large farms do. They often must charge a higher price for their goods. Similar to the price strategies of Walmart vs small neighborhood stores, they can't compete in price, so they must compete in quality, variety, customer service.
Ethical Issues -
You might choose to buy your food from small farmers because you want to contribute less to agricultural pollution.
You might choose to buy your food from small farmers because you like knowing who is growing your food, where, and how.
You might choose to buy your food from small farmers because you like spending your money in a local economy.(ShopLocalSF)
Making your choice -
Choosing to shop at almost any grocery store chain (Acme, Wawa, SuperFresh, Giant, and even WholeFoods!) almost always involves choosing food goods from an Industrial (large) farm. In some cases, some goods are labeled by their maker (cheese case at WholeFoods, packaged bison at Acme) During the spring, summer, and fall months; many chain grocery stores will prominently display produce that is locally grown.
You might also choose to shop at a Farmer's Market. The Glenside Farmer's Market - at Primex Garden Center during the winter and at the Glenside Train Station during the spring & summer - is the most reliable in the area. If memory serves, Jenkintown had a Farmer's Market at the Gazebo during the summer last year.
If you are a little adventurous, you might try buying a share at a CSA - Community Supported Agriculture - cooperative. You register in the early spring and pay for a share (or a 1/2 share) of fresh produce (sometimes eggs, milk, or cheese) to be delivered to a central location. Some of the arrangements require that you come and work for a few hours during the growing season. Pennypack Farms in Horsham may be the closest. A "large" share is $700. Click to see one family's weekly pick up during 2009. You'll notice that the last harvest was in November! There are several other local CSAs including "Henry Got Crops" at Saul Agricultural High School in Andorra (Ms. Brooks' alma mater), Greensgrow in North Philly, and Palovchak's Produce in Doylestown.
Preliminary Bibliography (created using NoodleTools - to get your free account, see Mrs. Toye) Works Cited Web sites, e-sources Bittman, Mark. “Rethinking the Meat-Guzzler.” New York Times. New York Times, 27 Jan. 2008. Web. 23 Mar. 2011. <http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/weekinreview/27bittman.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&ref=science&adxnnlx=1300885351-xJCZixnKJTTZGP2ZYAko5w>. “Factory Farming.” Sustainable Table. Grace Communications Network, n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2011. <http://www.sustainabletable.org/issues/factoryfarming/>. “Industrial agriculture.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 15 Feb. 2011. Web. 23 Mar. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_agriculture>. Overton, Mark. “Agricultural Revolution in England 1500-1850.” BBC - History. BBC, 17 Feb. 2011. Web. 23 Mar. 2011. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/agricultural_revolution_01.shtml>.
Industrial vs Small Farms
In the early stages of human history; in the transition from hunter/gatherer societies to agricultural societies; all farms were small, family or tribal farms. Families or small groups raised just enough food (plants or livestock) to feed themselves for the season and through the subsequent winter (subsistence farming).
With the advent of the industrial revolution, innovations in farming led to improved yield, which meant fewer people needed to farm and more of the population could move to the city to work in non-food jobs. Farming efficiencies meant that fewer people actually needed to farm in order to feed the many. In general, large farms accept uses of technology, GM seeds and patents, economies of scale, advertising, and creating markets both domestic and foreign. (Wikipedia) These large farms tend toward "mono-cropping," or the large-scale production of a single plant (corn, wheat, or soybeans) or specialization in a single animal (cattle, dairy cows, pigs, or chickens).
Environmental Issues -
Economic Issues -
Ethical Issues -
Making your choice -
Choosing to shop at almost any grocery store chain (Acme, Wawa, SuperFresh, Giant, and even WholeFoods!) almost always involves choosing food goods from an Industrial (large) farm. In some cases, some goods are labeled by their maker (cheese case at WholeFoods, packaged bison at Acme) During the spring, summer, and fall months; many chain grocery stores will prominently display produce that is locally grown.
If you are a little adventurous, you might try buying a share at a CSA - Community Supported Agriculture - cooperative. You register in the early spring and pay for a share (or a 1/2 share) of fresh produce (sometimes eggs, milk, or cheese) to be delivered to a central location. Some of the arrangements require that you come and work for a few hours during the growing season. Pennypack Farms in Horsham may be the closest. A "large" share is $700. Click to see one family's weekly pick up during 2009. You'll notice that the last harvest was in November! There are several other local CSAs including "Henry Got Crops" at Saul Agricultural High School in Andorra (Ms. Brooks' alma mater), Greensgrow in North Philly, and Palovchak's Produce in Doylestown.
Some local farms are:
Skippack Creek Farm
64 Skippack Creek Rd
Souderton, PA 18964
Hendricks Farm and Dairy
202 Green Hill Road
Telford, PA 18969.
Maple Acres Farm (near Plymouth Meeting Mall)
2656 Narcissa Road
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
Pennypack Farm and Education Center
685 Mann Road
Horsham, PA 19044
Or, to locate butchers, restaurants, bakers and more; click the Eat Well Guide and search for yourself.
Vocabulary List
Lagoon (manure)
CAFO
"Free Range"
rGBH
"Grass-finished"
"Grain fed"
Agribusiness
CSA
Resistance
Possible Resources -
Can Cuba Offer an Alternative to Corporate Control Over the World's Food System?
USDA - Alternative Plants and Crops
Living a Nightmare
One Acre Fund
Where they grow our junk food
Ending the Debate over the World's Smallholder Farms
Global Warming and Pasture-Raised Beef Production in the US
Spain's Salad Growers are Modern-Day Slaves
Preliminary Bibliography (created using NoodleTools - to get your free account, see Mrs. Toye)
Works Cited
Web sites, e-sources
Bittman, Mark. “Rethinking the Meat-Guzzler.” New York Times. New York Times, 27 Jan. 2008. Web. 23 Mar. 2011. <http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/weekinreview/27bittman.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&ref=science&adxnnlx=1300885351-xJCZixnKJTTZGP2ZYAko5w>.
“Factory Farming.” Sustainable Table. Grace Communications Network, n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2011. <http://www.sustainabletable.org/issues/factoryfarming/>.
“Industrial agriculture.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 15 Feb. 2011. Web. 23 Mar. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_agriculture>.
Overton, Mark. “Agricultural Revolution in England 1500-1850.” BBC - History. BBC, 17 Feb. 2011. Web. 23 Mar. 2011. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/agricultural_revolution_01.shtml>.